Since education makes a person more likely to leave your region, how do you justify your investment in human capital?

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Geopolitics Of Exporting Talent

Via Richard Florida's "twog", I clicked through to Parag Khanna’s TED talk. The idea of mitigating border conflict with infrastructure across those lines doesn't strike me as a novel approach to an old problem. However, the context of globalization makes for some compelling storytelling. That comes out in the part about the China strategy and the country's aggressive attempts to integrate the region under Chinese economic dominance.

The entire bit about China is worth your time, but the part that grabbed my attention is at the 7:55 mark with the map that details the demographic flows outward to other East Asian countries. This is China's talent export strategy. You want an economic link with a city? Send your best and brightest there.

As far as I know, China is the only place that funnels brain drain for purposes of economic development and geopolitical gain. India seems intrigued with this approach and now sees its talent as a trade asset. The labor mobility pact between India and Denmark is a good example. Denmark is aging and desperate for immigration. I'd like to know how India plans to cash in on such arrangements. Denmark strikes me more as a willing partner than a particularly advantageous one.

1 comment:

Yours is an interesting blog. As to the trade agreement between Denmark and India, I would not say that its either effective or beneficial. Denmark would possibly get para-skilled labour at cheaper rates than elsewhere. But that is very much what may be called a minimalist view in the sense that Denmark will obtained social carers for an ageing population such as nurses, social workers and others. However Denmark does not have any attractions in terms of high tech industries to attract real high skilled Indian talent. Nor is it offering any advantages that would encourage Indian entrepreneurs to see Denmark as a beachhead for tapping the European market. On its part the Indian govt is hardly taking any steps to lure Danish business and citizenry to invest in India and build linkages with Indian firms. Neither is there any effort by Denmark to do so. The only impact of this agreement is that in future the basic needs of the elderly might be met by Indian labour.